Chapter 31

Joey watched from the living room window as one-by-one, Tanya, Max, Abi and Cora left number 5, he could see Lauren in the front room watching from the window as they all left. Glancing at the time on his watch, it was nearing 11am. He had time. Everyone was out, his Mum was shopping, Alice was at school and his Dad was at work. Deciding against everything his head was telling him he grabbed his jacket from the hook in the hallway, and made his way across the square.

Lauren noticed the netting from number 30 fall back into place, Joey having disappeared. She'd been staring across to Joey's for the past few days, knowing he'd finished school now she was hoping for some miracle and for him to change him mind. Waiting another few seconds she saw he wasn't going to reappear and moved away too, making her way into the kitchen to organise herself something to eat and drink. Just as she was about to sit down, a knock at the back door sounded and Joey slipped inside.

She stared at him, her heart starting to pound, her face flushed at just the sight of him, not being around him for so long had only intensified what she felt when she was around him. "What're you doing here?" she asked, shifting uncomfortably in the chair.

"I have no idea" he admitted leaning against the worktop "call it insanity...I just needed to see you" Lauren scoffed "how are you?"

"Pregnant. Fat, achy, on edge, How's that for you?" she questioned

"You look beautiful to me" he admitted

"oh please… I'm a mess"

"You look gorgeous Lauren" he smiled reaching for her hand "you always do" the red in her cheeks intensified as he complemented her, she reached for the glass of water and took a long drink, hoping to disperse some of the nervous energy. "I've missed you" Joey said into the silence.

"I've missed you too" she admitted sighing, having no idea what was going on in her head. Joey moved around the table sitting next to her.

He took her hand "I've really, really missed you"

The tension was palpable as they stared into each other's eyes, their faces edging closer and closer by the second and finally their lips met. Sighing contentedly, Lauren let Joey's tongue slide into her mouth, the food she'd prepared forgotten as she became lost under his touch, her hormones raging.

"I've missed you so so much" he sighed

"I need you Joey..." Lauren mumbled leaning in to kiss him again, their mouths meeting in passion.

"Should we take this upstairs?" Joey asked, resting his forehead against hers as they pulled apart, his fingers splayed across her bump. Lauren shook her head looking to the floor.

"What's wrong?" he questioned "you just said..."

"Nothing's wrong...I do need you " she replied "it's just too far to walk"

He smiled at her and took her hand, helping her to her feet. Their eyes barely breaking contact as they moved into the living room. Shutting the door behind him, his mouth captured hers again and they were making their way to the sofa, clothes being shed as they did. Falling onto the sofa, Lauren was clad in only her underwear. Joey's mouth leaving a trail of fire as it worked its way down the now accessible skin. He was quickly unclothed and laying on top of her as much as he could.

"What was that?" Joey said wide eyed his hand shooting from her waist.

"it's the baby kicking… don't worry its fine" she leant up and connected their lips again.

"god babe..." He slid into her with ease resting his hands on her hips again. Lauren moved to lay down, the angle deepening as she pulled Joey down on top of her, both of them moaning at the friction they felt as he began to move within her again. It wasn't long before she felt the tell-tale sign in her stomach, the butterflies she got only around him, the baby's kicks intensified. Their breathing became ragged, Laurens energy dropping, the impromptu workout not really working in favour of being nearly 7 months pregnant. The knots in her stomach began to unravel as Joey pushed her closer towards the edge, a loud moan leaving her lips as she hit her high.

The pair awkwardly sat together afterwards having redressed in silence. Joey's hand took Lauren's in his and she turned her head to him, smiling at him weakly… "What was that? Was it…"

"Goodbye" he interjected "it was goodbye"

"What?" she questioned

"I'm going to uni in a week Lauren… going to live my life" he sighed "let's call it goodbye"

Lauren felt the tears build up in her eyes as he let go of her hand and quickly left the room, the front door shutting behind him seconds later. Lauren's head fell forward, her shoulders sagging as she cried. It really was over.

poor Lauren ! Should he have done that ? Lauren definitely didn't object at the time ... i'll reply to reviews tomorrow:) xx